Chapter 14: The Heights of Arrogance Summary

In 1978, the AMA released a long awaited report on tobacco, which was considered a whitewash by many in the health community. The OSH was pressured by the administration not to criticize the report. Then, JAMA published a NCI report stating that a cigarette with a "tolerable risk" level was close to completion. NCI backed away from the statement, but the tobacco industry had already seized the report. Califano was furious about the damage done by the claims of a "tolerable risk" cigarette. It showcased the confusion within the government.

Tobacco marketing had evolved from low tar to ultra-low tar. A particularly promising palladium filtered cigarette had been developed by scientists at the Liggett Group, which seemed to reduce incidences of tumors by 100%, But this was seen as a risk to the rest of the industry...